For the first time in 10 years, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will take applications for admission to the 10-team men's league after a moratorium on expansion was lifted Thursday.
A unanimous vote from faculty representatives in a league meeting at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C., paves the way for interested schools to approach the WCHA about membership in the next two months.
Bemidji (Minn.) State put itself first in line by issuing a press release just after the moratorium vote news was released by league officials.
"We are thrilled by the WCHA's decision to lift its moratorium," Bemidji State athletic director Rick Goeb said in a release. "Bemidji State has expressed its desire to seek membership in the premier collegiate hockey conference in the country, and we now intend to vigorously pursue membership using all the resources we can gather.
"After seeing what we have to offer, we believe the WCHA will be excited about adding Bemidji State as its newest member."
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The lifting of the moratorium will remain in effect through March 31 and membership applications will be reviewed during that period. Prospective members meeting criteria for admission will be invited to make a presentation at WCHA meetings April 26-28 in Marco Island, Fla.
A vote on membership could take place at that time or be delayed pending receipt and review of additional information, said league officials in a release. Gaining membership requires votes from eight of 10 schools.
If the WCHA expands, new members would likely begin play in the league in 2010-11, WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said earlier this week. Minnesota State Mankato was the most recent addition to the league, starting play in 1999-2000, although it was involved in the league playoffs in 1998 and 1999.
Bemidji State is a member of the four-team College Hockey America, a conference which is expected to disband after the 2009-10 season. The Beavers have had a Division I program since 1999-2000.
The Bemidji State women's program is a member of the women's WCHA.
